The NSW Government has revealed a sweeping vision to reshape Nowra’s CBD and riverfront, outlining plans that could deliver more than 900 new homes, revitalise the city centre and strengthen links to the Shoalhaven River.

Released on Wednesday, the Nowra City Centre Strategic Roadmap sets out a long-term blueprint for growth in the city’s commercial heart.

The plan aims to boost investment, support new businesses, improve access to essential services and create a more vibrant connection between the CBD and the river.

Alongside the roadmap, two rezoning proposals have been placed on public exhibition, covering more than six hectares of land along the riverfront.

Together, the proposals would enable significant residential development within 200 metres of schools, parks, community facilities, transport and the newly upgraded Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital.

The Nowra Riverfront Precinct proposal applies to 3.4 hectares between Bridge Road, Hyam Street and Scenic Drive.

The plan would allow up to 377 new homes and introduce a two per cent affordable housing requirement.

Building heights would rise from the current 11 to 28 metres to between 20 and 44 metres, with floor space ratios increasing to a range of 0.6:1 to 2:1.

The proposal would also permit boatsheds to operate on land fronting the river along Scenic Drive.

Next door, the Mandalay Sub-Precinct proposal, led by Homes NSW, covers 2.7 hectares of adjacent riverfront land.

It would unlock approximately 530 new homes, including around 100 social and affordable dwellings.

At least 30 per cent of homes on government-owned sites would be dedicated to social and affordable housing.

Height limits would increase from two storeys to between three and six storeys, and the changes will create opportunities for new cafés and restaurants along the riverfront.

The Government says the plans align with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 and build on major recent investments in Nowra, including the Princes Highway upgrade, the four-lane Nowra Bridge and the $440 million redevelopment of Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital.

Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park said the region’s expected growth made it essential to plan ahead.

“With the Shoalhaven council area expected to grow by more than 43,000 people by 2041, we’re acting now to ensure the community has access to affordable, well-located homes,” he said.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the roadmap and rezonings offer a chance to create “a thriving hub with new jobs and homes,” while Housing Minister Rose Jackson welcomed the focus on new social housing close to essential services.

Local MPs Liza Butler and Kaitlin McInerney also encouraged residents to review the plans and contribute feedback.

Both proposals are now on public exhibition until 5pm on 17 December 2025.

A drop-in community engagement session will be held from 4pm to 6.45pm on 27 November.